Regal Cinema Is Shutting Down: Bollywood Celebrities Get Nostalgia About it

Unfortunately, the most iconic and old single screen theater, Regal Cinema in New Delhi is shutting down on March 30. It had a record of a 85 years successful run, but now it is turning into a four auditorium multiplex soon. On this note, Bollywood celebrities who have memorable experiences in the theatres shared their experiences.

Anupam Kher: I still remember my movie Saaransh in 1984 ran for many months in Regal Cinema. The movie was one of my favorites, and that role is something I will always cherish.

Shakti Kapoor: I feel sad. I went there on my first date in my college days, and I clearly remember how royal that theatre was. There used to be boxes separately for six people and four people. Most of the time, we used to seat in a four people box. The ambiance of the theatre will be remembered forever.

Satish Kaushik: We used to bunk the school and go to movies at Regal when I was studying in my school (Harcourt Butler Sr Sec School) at Mandir Marg near Connaught place. Once the entire classmates bunked the school to watch Anand film in 1971 and of course for which we got reprimanded for later. One of my first few films were shot there too when I was working as an assistant director and played a small role in the film. It was a very special feeling to shoot my first film in a theatre where I watched a lot of movies in my childhood.

Divya Dutta: It’s very sad that they are doing down that theatre where I personally have a lot of memories associated with it. I still remember the first feature film I watched there – Kaala Patthar in 1979. There used to be a Hanuman Temple near by, and it was our routine then to watch a film in Regal and eat chaat outside that Mandir.

Manoj Bajpayee: When I was looking for work in my initial days we used to watch a lot of movies at Regal. It was quite exciting then, but it’s very sad that iconic landmark will be no more.

Subhash Ghai: When I was living near Connaught place, Regal used to be my frequently visited place. Just like the name itself, it was regal too. It’s really disappointing to see that place shutting down. In order to provide a good experience while watching the movie, we need bigger screens which is not the case in multiplexes. Regal used to be one such place where the audience can experience the movies on a bigger screen. I request government organisations to support big screen theatres.

Nimrat Kaur: Janbaaz in 1986 was my first movie at Regal Cinema. I still remember how mesmerized when I first saw it. Ever since then I watched almost all films there itself. It would be like my complete full day outing where we watch a film there and have almond milk at Keventers.